| Authorised form of name | Desaguliers; John Theophilus (1683 - 1744); natural philosopher |
| Dates | 1683 - 1744 |
| Nationality | French |
| Place of birth | La Rochelle, France |
| Date of birth | 10 or 13 March 1683 |
| Place of death | His lodgings at the Bedford Coffee House, Covent Garden |
| Date of death | 29 February 1744 |
| Dates and places | Burial:
The Savoy Chapel, Strand, Westminster |
| Occupation | Clergyman, Church of England; Natural Philosopher and Engineer |
| Research field | Experimental natural philosophy |
| Activity | Education:
Christ Church, Oxford); Hart Hall, Oxford. BA (1709), MA (1712), DCL (1719). Incorporated LLD at Cambridge (1726)
Career:
Brought to England by his parents after the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, he was rumoured to have been smuggled on board ship in a barrel (1685); Assistant in his father's school at Islington, Middlesex; ordained deacon (1710); Lecturer on Experimental Philosophy at Hart Hall (1710); Demonstrator and Curator to the Royal Society (1714); Chaplain to James Brydges, Duke of Chandos (FRS 1694) (1714); Rector of Little Stanmore, Middlesex (1715-1744); Rector of Bridgham, Norfolk (1717-1726); Chaplain to Frederick, Prince of Wales (c1717); Rector of Little Warley, Essex (1727-1744); lectured and performed experiments before a wide audience at his London house and later in Holland (1730), where he drew the interest of Herman Boerhaave (FRS 1730)
Memberships:
Freemason, Member, Lodge no 3 at Horn Tavern Westminster, London, subsequently Royal Somerset House and Inverness Lodge No 4; Grand Master of the Premier Grand Lodge, nicknamed the 'Moderns' 1719; |
| Membership category | Fellow |
| Date of election | 29/07/1714 |
| Proposer | Sir Hans Sloane |
| Sir Isaac Newton |
| Royal Society activity | Medals and prizes:
Copley Medal 1734, 1736 and 1741 |
| Relationships | Son of John Desaguliers, protestant pastor, of Aitre, France, and later Minister of the French Chapel, Swallow Street, London; married Joanna Pudsey |
| Sources | Sources:
Bulloch's Roll; DNB; DSB; Venn; Foster
References:
Henry Guerlac, 'Newton's Optical Aether: his Draft of a Proposed Addition to his Opticks' in NR 1967 vol 22 pp 45-57
J A Lohne, 'Experimentum Crucis' in NR 1968 vol 23 pp 169-199
Stephen F Mason, 'The Spring-Tide of Experimental Philosophy', review of Marie Boas Hall, Promoting Experimental Learning: Experiment and the Royal Society, 1660-1727 in NR 1992 vol 46 pp 313-316
Alan Q Morton, 'Previous Public Perceptions of Science', review of Larry Stewart, The Rise of Public Science: Rhetoric, Technology and Natural Philosophy in Newtonian Britain, 1660-1750 and Jan Golinski, Science as Public Culture: Chemistry and Enlightenment in Britain, 1760-1820 in NR 1994 vol 48 pp 157-159
John H Appleby, 'Human Curiosities and the Royal Society, 1699-1751' in NR 1996 vol 50 pp 13-27
Marta Cavazza, 'The Institute of Science of Bologna and the Royal Society in the eighteenth century' in NR 2002 vol 56 pp 3-25, plate
'Gentleman's Magazine' 1744, p168
P Fontes da Costa, 'The Culture of Curiosity at The Royal Society in the first half of the eighteenth century', NR 2002 vo l56 pp 147-166
J P Zinsser, 'The ultimate commentary: a consideration of I Bernhard Cohen's Guide to Newton's Principia' in NR 2003 vol 57 pp 231-238
The Library and Museum of Freemasonry 'Freemasons and the Royal Society; Alphabetical List of Fellows of the Royal Society who were Freemasons' 2010, page 26
Notes:
DSB provides birth and death dates, 12 March 1683 and 10 March 1744 respectively. Venn gives death date as 29 February 1744 |
| Virtual International Authority File | http://viaf.org/viaf/37090620 |
| Royal Society code | NA8419 |
| Reference number | Title | Date |
| IM/005303 | Desaguliers, John Theophilus | 1989/90 |
| CLP/18ii/34 | Some thoughts concerning electricity by J T Desaguliers | 3 June 1731 |
| EL/H4/33 | J Higgs to Rev Desaguliers | 1734 |
| CLP/18ii/41 | Account of some magnetical experiments by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| EL/S2/56 | Letter from Raphael Sedgwick communicated to the Royal Society by Dr Desaguliers | 19 March 1724 |
| RBO/17/25 | 'Account of some magnetical Experiments' by John Theophilus Desaguliers | 1732 |
| RBO/11/67 | 'An account of an Optical Experiment' by John Desaguliers | 1722 |
| RBO/13/28 | An account of an experiment to show a syphon running in vacuo by J Desaguliers | 1728 |
| RBO/12/73 | 'Remarks on the Invention of Telescopes' by Dr Desaguliers | 1726 |
| RBO/11/79 | 'A magnetical Experiment made by Mr William Palmer a Mechnick near York communicated by J Desaguliers' | 25 February 1723 |
| CLP/18ii/37 | Description of a planetarium by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| RBO/14/45 | 'Giving some Account of a french Paper relating to the Application of the Doctrine of Proportions to negative Quantities etc' in a letter from the Reverend Desaguliers to William Rutty | 1728 |
| RBO/11/96 | 'Account of the Appearance of the Matter of the Small Pox seen thro' a Microscope' by J Desaguliers | 13 June 1723 |
| CLP/18ii/24 | Observations of optical experiments by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| CLP/18ii/43 | Further discussion of the appearance of the horizontal moon by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| MM/20/36 | Letter from Johann Gabriel Doppelmayr to Cromwell Mortimer, Secretary, Royal Society | 27 December 1740 |
| RBO/11/41 | 'Mercury in the Barometer' by J Desaguliers | 1721 |
| CLP/18ii/8 | Details of some new magnetical experiments by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| RBO/12/16 | 'An Experiment to illustrate what has been said in the Philosophical Transactions no 386, 387, 388 concerning the Figure of the Earth' by J Desaguliers | 1725 |
| CLP/18ii/18 | Experiment to demonstrate the figure of the Earth as discussed in 'Philosophical Transactions', nos 386, 387 and 388 by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| RBO/19/42 | 'An Account of some new Statical Experiments' by Dr Desaguliers | 1735 |
| CLP/18ii/30 | Observations and experiments relating to friction by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| CLP/18ii/48 | Account of some new statical experiments by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| CLP/18ii/12 | Experiments to show the force of moving bodies by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| RBO/12/17 | Some experiments concerning the cohesion of two balls of lead by J Desaguliers | 1725 |
| CLP/18ii/15 | Attempt to explain the rise and fall of the water near the sea or tidal rivers by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| CLP/18ii/22 | Account of an experiment showing a syphon running in vacuo by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| CLP/18ii/46 | New experiments with ice taken from Abbe Noler at Paris and communicated by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| CLP/18ii/14 | Account of the appearance of smallpox seen through the microscope by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| CLP/17/75 | Summary of experiments carried out by J Desaguliers from November 1729 to November 1730 | nd |
| CLP/18ii/13 | Account of optical experiment by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| CLP/18ii/7 | Account of some of Isaac Newton's experiments showing the properties of light and colour by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| CLP/6/64 | Paper, 'A description of an engine to raise water by the help of quicksilver, invented by the late Mr Joshua Haskins; and made practicable and usefull' by J T [John Theophilus] Desaguliers | 19 April 1722 |
| CLP/18ii/25 | Account of some electrical experiments by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| RBO/12/33 | 'Account of Several Experiments concerning the running of Water in Pipes, as it is retarded by Friction and intermix'd Air some of which were made before the Royal Society on Thursday the 5th of May 1726 With a Description of a new Machine, whereby Pipes may be clear'd of Air, as the Water runs along without Stand Pipes or the help of any hand' by John Desaguliers | 1726 |
| LBO/18/76 | Copy letter from John Theophilus Desaguliers | 29 April 1735 |
| LBO/20/13 | Copy abstract of a letter from Doctor Muschenbrock, Utrecht, to John Theophilus Desaguliers | 15 January 1732/1733 |
| LBO/21/50 | Copy letter from Mr Friewald, Stockhlom, to John Theophilus Desaguliers | 1 November 1732 |
| CLP/7ii/4 | Paper, 'A dissertation concerning the figure of the Earth' by J T [John Theophilus] Desaguliers | 1724 |
| NLB/60/654 | Copy letter from William Bate Hardy, Secretary of the Royal Society; to J. D. Milner Esquire; National Portrait Gallery, St. Martin's Place, Charing Cross, W.C. | 10 March 1921 |
| CLP/4i/66 | Paper, 'An account of an aurora borealis' by J [John] Desaguliers | 1723 |
| L&P/1/33 | Paper, 'Some further observations concerning electricity' by John Theophilus Desaguliers | 10 December 1741 |
| L&P/1/228 | Letter, 'A request for an imprimatur for the second volume of his course of experimental philosophy' from John Theophilus Desaguliers to the Royal Society | 1743 |
| CLP/18ii | Volume 18ii of classified papers, 'Desaguliers papers' | 1714-1737 |
| CLP/18ii/40 | Description of an invention to confine steam when boiling liquids by J T Desaguliers, Daniel Nible, and William Uream | nd |
| L&P/1/108 | Paper, 'Conjectures concerning electricity and the rise of vapours' by John Theophilis Desaguliers | [1742] |
| CLP/18ii/42 | Attempt to explain the phenomenon of the horizontal moon appearing bigger than when elevated many degrees above the horizon by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| CLP/18ii/21 | Account of a machine for measuring the depth of the sea by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| CLP/18ii/31 | Experiment to show that the friction of the several parts in a compound engine can be reduced to calculation by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| CLP/2/18 | Paper, 'Concerning the invention of telescopes' by J T [John Theophilus] Desaguliers | [1726] |
| CLP/7ii/5 | Paper, 'A dissertation concerning the figure of the Earth. Part the second' by J T [John Theophilus] Desaguliers | 1725 |
| CLP/3ii/14/1 | Manuscript, 'Remarks on some attempts made towards a perpetual motion' by Dr [John Theophilus] Desaguliers | [1721] |
| CLP/18ii/35 | Account of an experiment contrived by Dr Gravesande, Professor at Leyden, relating to the force of moving bodies now to be shown to the Royal Society by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| CLP/3ii/14 | Paper, 'Remarks on some attempts made towards a perpetual motion' by Dr [John Theophilus] Desaguliers | [1721] |
| CLP/18ii/45 | Account of some magnetical experiments by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| CLP/18ii/11 | Experiments to show the force of moving bodies is proportional to their velocities by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| CLP/18ii/9 | Experiment to show that bodies of the same weight do not contain equal quantities of matter which gives interspersed vacuum by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| RBO/12/18 | 'Dissertation concerning the Figure of the Earth Part 2' by J Desaguliers | 1725 |
| CLP/18ii/44 | Experiment to show that some damps in mines might be occasioned only by the burning of candles underground without the addition of any noxious vapour, even when the bottom of the pit has a communication with the outward air, unless the outward air be forcibly driven in at the said pipe by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| EL/C2/88 | A proposal to make anatomies of human bodies in coloured wax by A Chovet | 1732 |
| EL/D2/75 | John Desaguliers, dated at Kew, to Cromwell Mortimer | 13 December 1737 |
| EL/D2/72 | An account of different instruments presented to the Royal Society by John Desaguliers | October 1733 to October 1734 |
| RBO/12/8 | 'Dissertation concerning the figure of the Earth' by J Desaguliers | 1724 |
| CLP/18ii/19 | Account of several experiments concerning the running of water in pipes by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| CLP/18ii/32 | Account of two experiments showing friction of pullies by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| CLP/18ii/36 | Account of an instrument contrived by J T Desaguliers to show the different velocities of a planet or comet in its motion round the sun | nd |
| CLP/18ii/27 | Proposition on the balance not taken notice of by mechanical writers explained and confirmed by an experiment before the Royal Society by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| CLP/18ii/28 | Observations of a crane with improvements on the machine by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| CLP/18ii/16 | Details of a new contrivance for taking levels by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| CLP/9ii/17 | Paper, 'A magnetical experiment' by William Palmer | 25 February 1723 |
| CLP/18ii/17 | Experiments concerning the cohesion of lead balls by J T Desaguliers | 29 April 1725 |
| CLP/18ii/29 | Examination of Perault's axis 'in peritrochio' said to be void of friction by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| CLP/9ii/29 | Extract, 'From the Journal Books of the Royal Society concerning magnets having more poles than two' by John Eames with some observations by Dr [John] Desaguliers | [1737?] |
| CLP/12ii/55 | Paper, regarding the dissolving of a stone with a plant by Michael Birmingham | 18 May 1738 |
| CLP/18ii/1 | Paper, 'An experiment in order to determine what degree of heat is required to melt some metals' by J T [John Theophilus] Desaguliers | 7 April 1714 |
| CLP/18ii/2 | Paper, 'An experiment made before the Royal Society' by J T [John Theophilus] Desaguliers | 15 April 1714 |
| CLP/18ii/4 | Paper, 'An experiment on steel balls made before the Royal Society' by J T [John Theophilus] Desaguliers | 20 May 1714 |
| CLP/18ii/3 | Paper, 'An experiment made before the Royal Society' by J T [John Theophilus] Desaguliers | 13 May 1714 |
| CLP/18ii/23 | Details of an experiment showing force of moving bodies and velocity by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| CLP/18ii/5 | Paper, 'An account of some experiments of the congress of bodies made before the Royal Society' by J T [John Theophilus] Desaguliers | 3 June 1714 |
| CLP/18ii/5/1 | Paper, 'An account of some experiments of the congress of bodies made before the Royal Society' by J T [John Theophilus] Desaguliers | 3 June 1714 |
| CLP/18ii/6/2 | Sketch, window, prism, and ribbons set up for experiment by [John Theophilus Desaguliers] | 24 June 1714 |
| CLP/18ii/5/2 | Sketch, 'Experiments to prove the first law' by [John Theophilus Desaguliers] | 3 June 1714 |
| CLP/18ii/6 | Paper, 'An account of some experiments of light and colours formerly made by the President and mention'd in his Optics, repeated before the Royal Society' by John Theoph [Theophilus] Desaguliers | 24 June 1714 |
| CLP/18ii/6/1 | Paper, 'An account of some experiments of light and colours formerly made by the President and mention'd in his Optics, repeated before the Royal Society' by John Theoph [Theophilus] Desaguliers | 24 June 1714 |
| EL/D2/73 | John Desaguliers to Cromwell Mortimer | 29 October 1733 |
| CLP/18ii/33 | Account of an experiment explaining a mechanical paradox by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| EL/M2/68 | Peter van Muschenbroek to J Disaguilliers | 20 July 1725 |
| EL/T/81 | Marten Triewald, dated at Stockholm, to Desaguliers | 20 November 1728 |
| AP/4/12/2 | Unpublished drawings, candle grenades by [Joseph Mead] | [1777] |
| EL/D2/71 | John Desaguliers, dated at Channel Row, to Cromwell Mortimer | 8 November 1735 |
| CLP/3ii/14/2 | Diagram, wheels in motion by [John Theophilus Desaguliers] | [1721] |
| EL/M3/16 | Abstract of a letter from Petrus van Muschenbroek, dated at Urecht, to Dr J Desaguliers | 15 January 1733 |
| EL/T/91 | Marten Triewald to John Desaguliers | 1 November 1732 |
| CLP/18ii/10 | Concerning the descent of a body in fluid with uniform motion by J T Desaguliers | nd |
| CLP/18ii/20 | Details of a machine to draw damp or foul air out of mines, wells, caves etc by J T Desaguliers | 21 May 1727 |
| CLP/18ii/39 | Calculation of the velocity of the air moved by the newly-invented centrifugal bellows by J T Desaguliers | 1736 |
| CLP/4i/84 | Paper, 'Attempt to solve the phenomenon of the rise of vapours, formation of clouds and descent of rain in a letter to William Rutty from J [John Theophilus] Desaguliers' by Desaguliers | 1728 |
| RBO/11/101 | 'An attempt to account for the rising and falling of the water of some Ponds near the Sea' by J Desaguliers | 1723 |
| RBO/11/37 | 'Remarks on Some attempts made towards a perpetual Motion' by John Desaguliers | 1721 |
| RBO/12/2 | 'A new Contrivance for taking Levels' by J Desaguliers | 1724 |
| RBO/11/63 | 'An account of Some Experiment made to prove that the force of moving Bodies is proportional to their Velocities' by John Desaguliers | 1722 |
| CLP/7ii/4/1 | Manuscript, 'A dissertation concerning the figure of the Earth' by J T [John Theophilus] Desaguliers | 1724 |
| CLP/7ii/5/1 | Manuscript, 'A dissertation concerning the figure of the Earth. Part the second' by J T [John Theophilus] Desaguliers | 1725 |
| CLP/7ii/5/2 | Figures, geometry relating to the Earth by John Theophilus Desaguliers | 1725 |